Being emotionally invested in a piece of fiction or even real life is a good thing. For one it shows that you have a heart, and in the case of fiction, it's a staple of good story telling and characterization. I wouldn'nt get overly depressed or commit suicide over it... thats overboard. But, caring about it is not a bad thing.
I'll admit, I got teary-eyed at the end of Toy Story 3, but that's because Toy Story was the first movie I ever saw. That trilogy is a big part of my childhood. That and it was a really well done film. I think you should talk to a professional about this.
I saw a few of your posts, spiritprime. I think we share similar tendencies. I echo most of the sentiments in this thread: It's not entirely a bad thing to be emotionally attached to a fictional character. When any form of media manages to get you to care deeply for their character(s), it's usually a sign of good writing on their part, and a sign of your own capacity for empathy. However, one must realize that, in the end, these characters are fictional and its author simply felt that their deaths were necessary to further the story. Still, it really sucks having to deal with the emotional aftermath when a show seemingly goes out of its way to make its audience care deeply for a character, then brutally kills him/her off. To this day, I still don't really know how to deal with that.
Would it help if I said I cried myself to sleep at night because I know I can't ever marry Miko? I'd be lying, but at least it would be topical.
I personally believe that media emotional attachment isn't a bad thing because it shows how much one can care, even if it be for a fictional character. I personally cried my eyes out at the age of four when I saw Optimus Prime's death in the 1986 movie. ROTF brought back those memories and my eyes got pretty misty. But now I'm perfectly fine, apart from being unable to listen to The Death of Optimus Prime score without bawling. I can't even watch the scene even though the scene that precedes it is so Spoiler ****ing awesome.
People would say i am unbelieveably obsessed with the voclaoid Megurine Luka: i would say they are right and i don't give a crap, luka is my absolute favorite
Good fiction makes you care about the characters, otherwise the exercise is largely pointless. Too much attachment to anything is bad for you, moderation gentlemen, that is the key. Also, how can you not love this face:
Well, considering her face looks exactly the same as the faces of every other horse on that show, I'd say it's not a feat. Do you have a fetish for underaged terrible characters? I certainly hope you don't mind if I store that tidbit away so I may make fun of you for it later. We aren't going to tell your parents if you say "fucking." If you're going to say the word, at least commit to it.
I have a minor crush on Asuka Langley Sohryu. Ever since I hit 18 it makes me feel like a perv, since she's 14 and all... :/ I think character attachment can be okay as long as you don't start writing slash-fiction about them, constantly demand they be in more things, or let it rule you in general.
If the plight of fictional characters makes you cry (multiple times? WTF) and have nightmares, then YES, there's a problem.
As long as said attachment helps you related and sympathize with the characters, then I don't think it's a bad thing. I like to keep a certain degree of attachment to the characters that I write with so I can write them appropriately in my stories.
